For many years, Reiner Calmund and Uli Hoeneß were among the most colorful figures in the Bundesliga. While Calmund steered the fortunes of Bayer Leverkusen, Hoeneß turned FC Bayern into the dominant club in Germany. The two regularly engaged in verbalsparring,especially during the battle for the championship.
The once-bitter rivals have long since become close confidants. Calmund has now once again made it clear just how great their mutual respect has become.
In the new season of the SPORT1 show DEEP DIVE, the now 77-year-old was practically gushing when he spoke about his former rival.
“Probably the best manager of all time”
“Uli Hoeneß is probably the best manager of all time,” Calmund explained, basing his assessment not only on the numerous sporting successes of the longtime Bayern manager.
The former Leverkusen boss is particularly impressed by how Hoeneß shaped FC Bayern over decades without, in his view, losing touch with reality.
“He started out simply, won an incredible number of titles, but never forgot where he came from. He was always there and helped out when needed,” Calmund gushed.
Hoeneß took over as manager of FC Bayern in 1979 at the age of just 27 and went on to shape the development of Germany’s record champion for decades. Even after stepping back from day-to-day operations, the honorary president continues to wield considerable influence in Munich.
That Calmund, of all people, would sing such high praise for his former rival is quite remarkable given their shared history.
The Daum Affair Led to a Rift Between Hoeneß and Calmund
In the 1990s and early 2000s, the two Bundesliga heavyweights were locked in a fierce rivalry. Bayern and Leverkusen regularly battled for the championship, while Hoeneß and Calmund fueled the rivalry off the field with public verbal sparring.
The relationship hit rock bottom in 2000. In the wake of the cocaine scandal involving Christoph Daum, a temporary rift developed between Hoeneß and Calmund. Daum was under contract with Bayer Leverkusen at the time and was set to become the new national team coach.
However, the cold war between the two managers did not last long. At the initiative of former national team coach Berti Vogts, a reconciliation finally took place. Hoeneß and Calmund shook hands again.
Over the years, their former rivalry evolved into a friendship. The verbal battles of the past are long gone.
Today, Calmund looks back on the life’s work of his former rival with great admiration. The compliment could hardly be greater: To him, Hoeneß is “probably the best manager of all time.”